Hugh

Hugh: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “mind, spirit”
Origin: Germanic
Say it: HYOO · 1 syllable
Used for: Boys

From Germanic Hug, meaning 'heart, mind, spirit', brought into use in Britain by the Normans as Hugues. It has long been established in English, Scottish, and Irish use.

English names Irish names Scottish names French names Names meaning wisdom Classic names Short names International names

How popular is Hugh?

2024100 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Hugh in 2024332

2024 rank#762 boys

Peak year1881

Total US babies since 188083,820

Hugh is rising: use over the last five years is 1.6× what it was a decade earlier.

Names like Hugh

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Hudsonson of Hudd · English
Hueymind, spirit · English
Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Henryhome ruler · Germanic
Charlesfree man · Germanic
Milessoldier or merciful · Germanic
Robertbright fame · Germanic
Milogracious; dear · Germanic

Hugh questions

What does the name Hugh mean?

Hugh means "mind, spirit". It comes from Germanic. From Germanic Hug, meaning 'heart, mind, spirit', brought into use in Britain by the Normans as Hugues. It has long been established in English, Scottish, and Irish use.

Is Hugh a boy or girl name?

Hugh is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Hugh?

332 US babies were named Hugh in 2024. Its peak year was 1881.

How do you pronounce Hugh?

Hugh is usually pronounced HYOO.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.